BANGKOK (AP) — The human rights group Amnesty International has strongly criticized UNESCO and its World Heritage program for failing to challenge the Cambodian government’s ongoing mass evictions at the famous centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex.
A Rights Group Accuses UNESCO of Turning a Blind Eye to Forcible Evictions at Cambodia’s Angkor Wat

New Train Route Connects Beijing to Vientiane

The Lao-China Railway officially launched a cross-border passenger train on 13 November connecting Vientiane Capital, Laos, to China’s capital Beijing.
China Remains Top Investor in Laos, Minister Reveals
Chinese investors have engaged in over 900 projects across various sectors in Laos, totaling more than USD 13 billion. This establishes China, once again, as the leading contributor in terms of investment value in Laos, revealed Minister of Planning and Investment Khamjane Vongphosy on 14 November.
US Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Visits Laos

Cindy Dyer, the United States’ Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, is traveling to Laos to discuss the nation’s anti-trafficking efforts and infrastructure from 12-15 November.
WRISE Continues Rapid Business Expansion with New Japan Desk
New set up sees the appointment of Japan market head in Singapore to better serve client needs
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 November 2023 – WRISE Group today announced the appointment of Shigehiro Suzuki as the Market Head of Japan, who will lead a team in the Singapore office providing wealth management services to WRISE’s Japanese clients to tap on Japan’s economic recovery.
According to a recent Nikkei survey, companies in Japan are set to increase overseas investment by 22.6%, marking the third consecutive year of double-digit growth. This increase presents WRISE with a valuable opportunity to capitalise on Japanese capital influx into other markets, including Singapore.
“Japan is on a solid path to domestic recovery and Japanese investors are important clients to us,” said Derrick Tan, Chairman, WRISE Group. “We are primed to serve their needs with our new Japan market desk to provide wealth management services for high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, with offerings that include personalised asset management strategies and estate planning.”
“As Japan aims at reasserting its presence in the global economy, we expect a significant rise in the number of ultra-rich Japanese looking to diversify their Asian portfolios. The establishment of our Japan market desk will allow us to bring our vast investment management expertise to clients keen on growing their investments in Singapore and the region,” said Shigehiro.
Shigehiro brings to WRISE over 20 years of experience in the financial and accounting industry. Prior to joining WRISE, he worked in senior wealth management and investment banking positions at international financial institutions such as Bank of Singapore and Credit Suisse. He was also previously with Grant Thornton Taiyo ASG (Japan) as a Certified Public Accountant.
The appointment of Shigehiro is aligned with WRISE Group’s human capital expansion of its senior management pool to strategically strengthen core business fundamentals. The move also saw the recent addition of Helen Lam as the new Group Chief Operating Officer and Gaven Koh as Group Head of Risk & Compliance in October 2023.
WRISE’s growth in the Asian market will also see the setup of an upcoming corporate services office in Japan, dedicated to serving the needs of Asian UHNW clients interested in establishing their presence in Japan.
Hashtag: #WRISEGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About WRISE
WRISE is a leading independent multi-family office gateway that simplifies the complexity of legacy financial structure. Its proprietary wealth management tool, TREX, provides clients with complete control and transparency over their total wealth, and the ability to create their own family office with real-time access to expert advice and tailored solutions within a vast ecosystem of top global private banks, investment banks, fund managers, brokers, and others.
With a fast-growing team of approximately 90 professionals worldwide, WRISE Group of Companies include WRISE Wealth Management (Singapore), WeWrise Services, and Voo Technologies and affiliated companies WRISE Wealth Management (Hong Kong), WRISE Wealth Management (Middle East).
Ronald Lu & Partners: Twelve Architecture Awards Confirm Reputation for Excellence
RLP Asia’s string of wins at the Green Building Award 2023 and the HKIA 2022/23 Awards cement the firm’s position as an architectural powerhouse
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 November 2023 – Multiple award-winning Hong Kong-based architecture practice Ronald Lu & Partners (RLP Asia), known for their life-centric, future-ready designs, took home a total of twelve awards in two weeks: nine awards at Hong Kong Green Building Council and Professional Green Building Council’s Green Building Award 2023 on 3 November, and a further three honours at the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) 2022/23 on 8 November.

Bryant Lu, RLP Asia’s Vice-Chairman, is elated by the firm’s outstanding performance, saying “Winning this many awards in the span of a few short days is an incredible feat. We are honoured and humbled to receive this recognition from our industry peers for our pursuit of design excellence and commitment to sustainable architecture.”
The firm’s Green Building Award wins include a special citation for Integral, three Grand Awards for Integral, AIRSIDE and K11 Atelier at 11 Skies, and five Merit Awards spanning a wide range of typologies. Their Integral eco-industrial project also received a Special Citation on UN Sustainable Development Goals, in recognition of the development’s positive contributions to a sustainable built environment. RLP Asia has now achieved a total of 35 Hong Kong and World Green Building Awards since 2008.
RLP Asia won three prestigious awards at the HKIA ceremony: AIRSIDE won the HKIA Award, topping the Commercial Building category, Garden Crescent received the HKIA Award in the Residential Building category and the Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex won a Merit Award in the Institutional Building category. These bring the firm’s total to 16 HKIA awards over the years.
RLP Asia is also celebrating their Chief Architect Nam Wu, who won an Honourable Mention for the HKIA Young Architect Award.
Since RLP Asia began focusing on sustainable, future-focused architecture in 2000, the firm has been consistently recognised for its pioneering designs, high standards and deep expertise in all aspects of architecture including green building, master planning, new buildings, interior design, urban regeneration, and architectural research. Today, RLP Asia has a substantial portfolio of green designs that spans most districts and sectors of Hong Kong, and is growing steadily in mainland China and across Asia.
Bryant Lu emphasises that, “These awards stretch across architectural domains and typologies and different facets of green architecture. To be awarded in so many ways proves RLP Asia is an authentic leader for Asia in architecture and green building. I am incredibly proud of our hard-working team: We are setting standards and raising the bar for the entire architecture industry, designing better life for people, communities and the environment – today and for future generations.”
A full list of RLP Asia’s awarded projects appears below:
The Hong Kong Green Building Council Green Building Award 2023
Grand Award
Integral – An “industrial eco-garden” and state-of-the-art garment factory in Guilin, China that seamlessly blends technical advancement and sustainability within a stunning natural backdrop. It prioritises the preservation of place and culture, promotes the wellness and dignity of people, takes decisive climate action for our planet, and fosters partnerships for common prosperity.
Integral also won a Special Citation on UN Sustainable Development Goals.
K11 ATELIER 11 SKIES – As an integral part of the comprehensive new retail, business and entertainment destination at Hong Kong International Airport, K11 ATELIER has embedded sustainability into the project’s life cycle – from design and construction to operations and management.
AIRSIDE – A truly green Grade-A office and retail development on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in East Kowloon. AIRSIDE fosters connections between corporates, the community and nature, and promotes environmental awareness through innovation and technology.
Merit Award
Inland Revenue Centre – A sustainable and accessible 18-storey office building in the Kai Tak New Development Area that prioritises human wellness in the workplace and has a host of energy and water-saving features.
Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex – A human-centric complex designed to provide a restorative biophilic experience. Its embrace of nature, ample daylight and natural ventilation enhances liveability among its diverse user groups while addressing their specific rehabilitation needs.
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Buildings 8 and 9 – These wet lab-enabled office buildings prioritise health and wellbeing through innovative features and a smart and biophilic “green living room” design concept. They also house the district cooling system plant and the automatic refuse collection system plant for all buildings in the complex.
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park – Batch 1A Development: Building 11 – An energy-saving, sustainability-focused co-living space that will foster innovation and creativity through its green accommodations, eco-friendly habitats and spaces that promote activity and vitality.
Treehouse: a trans-disciplinary building design framework for advancing net-zero – A research project that produced a design framework for Treehouse, a carbon-neutral office building for a high-density sub-tropical city. It emphasises adaptive design, microclimate-responsive planning, smart comfort strategies, and biophilic design strategies.
HKIA Awards 2022/23:
HKIA Award Hong Kong – Commercial Building
AIRSIDE – A sustainable Grade-A office and retail development on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport in East Kowloon. AIRSIDE fosters connections between corporates, the community and nature, and promotes environmental awareness through innovation and technology.
HKIA Award Hong Kong – Residential Building
Garden Crescent – A “real forest building” that brings nature back into a high-density urban environment through biophilic design and a design philosophy of “nature on every doorstep”.
HKIA Merit Award Hong Kong – Institutional Building
Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex – A human-centric, two-block complex that maximises natural light and ventilation and prioritises residents’ dignity and well-being while offering residential care, day training and vocational rehabilitation services.
HKIA Young Architect Award Honourable Mention
Nam Wu – A Chief Architect at RLP Asia, Nam Wu graduated from the University of Hong Kong and has been with the firm since 2016. Nam actively contributes to industry exhibitions and competitions where he showcases his talent and dedication to designing better life for Hong Kong.
Hashtag: #RLPasia #DesignBetterLife
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Ronald Lu & Partners
Ronald Lu & Partners (RLP Asia) is an award-winning architecture practice focused on human-centric, future-ready design. Founded in 1976, RLP is known throughout Asia as being a trailblazer in sustainable architecture. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Taipei, our team of 550+ trusted advisors work in partnership with many of the world’s leading developers, government bodies and institutions to bring the values of our clients to life in high-density urban environments. Together, we “Design Better Life” for the people and communities that use these spaces.
www.RLP.asia | @RLP.asia
ASL’s 50th Anniversary Uphold Righteousness, Innovate, and Strive for Excellence
Half a Century of Outstanding Development, ASL is Leading the Market and Embarking on a New Journey
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 November 2023 – Automated Systems Holdings Limited (“ASL” or “the Group”) (HKEX stock code: 771), a professional and trustworthy global unified technology services partner, is pleased to announce the Company’s 50th anniversary celebration, and the “ASL Solution Day 2023” is going to be held on 17th November 2023, at JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. While celebrating the Group’s glorious journey spanning half a century, we are committed to building a professional, efficient, and digitally integrated IT platform, in order to continue delivering innovative, sector-focused, and excellent digital unified technology services to the international market.

ASL was established in the 1970s. Over the past 50 years of development, ASL started as a small system integrator and continuously pursued the direction of innovative technology. We expanded our business network to different fields and gradually developed three core businesses: Innovative Solutions Business, Cybersecurity and Omni-channel Managed Services. In 1997, ASL was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking its entry into the international capital market. In 2009, the Group became an important member of the Beijing Teamsun Group and expanded its business to mainland China. Over the past few decades, the IT industry has undergone significant transformations. ASL has continuously adjusted its business models to adapt to market demands, closely monitored industry development trends, and consistently explored new business opportunities. ASL has grown to become a leading technology service provider in the Asia-Pacific region. The core business performance has reached a new high in the past decade. In 2017, the Group acquired the US cloud computing services company, Grid Dynamics, and went public on NASDAQ (NASDAQ: GDYN) in 2020. This marked a significant step for the Group in implementing its regional development strategy in both the Asia-Pacific and European-American regions. In 2020, the establishment of the ASL Unified Operation Center (UOC) and the Security Operations Center (SOC²) enhanced the overall service level of network security. In 2021, the introduction of a one-stop Cloud-Native as a Service strengthened the integration of DevSecOps capabilities and optimized delivery resources, thereby improving continuous operation and maintenance standards. In 2022, ASL became one of the few Hong Kong companies to achieve the highest level of CMMI Level 5 software development certification, earning recognition for its exceptional capabilities.
Optimize the Three Core Businesses and Enhance Platform Service Capabilities
ASL continues to optimize and consolidate its three core businesses, which include Innovative Solutions Business, enhance customer experience with innovative applications. While adapting to industry development, we further invest resources in the development of artificial intelligence and robotic process automation, among other areas. For Intelligent Cybersecurity Services Business, the Group has received orders in various industries such as financial services, government, healthcare and retail and the Group is strengthening the integration of service platform, so as to provide unified technology. Regarding Integrated Managed Services Business, we aim to simplify customers’ IT operations and improve efficiency. ASL actively promotes the expansion of multi-channel services and has successfully secured service orders from industries such as finance, aviation, and entertainment this year.
Develops Hybrid Cloud Services and Continues to Improve the Capabilities of the Service Platform
Regarding the new business, the Group actively develops hybrid cloud services and continues to improve the capabilities of its service platform, including its unique Unified Operation Center (“UOC”), which enables customers to access and analyze data more efficiently, thereby support their decision-making process, enhance customer experience and foster customer loyalty to our brand. The Group’s self-branded “ASL Marketplace,” an integrated cloud native online platform showcases cloud-native as-a-Service and one-stop DevSecOps capability, and the Group has launched several new products this year, with the aim of optimizing and enhancing its cloud-native services.
Implements Sector-focused Strategy and Actively Expands in the Greater Bay Area
ASL focuses on developing advantageous industries and deeply explores customer’s business needs based on their technology adoption directions and service requirements. In addition, the Group has strategically partnered with Finastra, a leading global financial technology provider. The Group has focused on talent training in relevant technologies and intensified market promotion efforts to provide exclusive banking solutions.
In the post-pandemic era, the Group seizes the opportunity to strengthen communication between Hong Kong, mainland China, and the global market with unified technology services. Besides, we adjust resources and expand regional talent pools, and implement a regional deployment strategy. In August 2023, ASL established its headquarters in the Greater Bay Area, in response to national policies and to strengthen the Group’s role as a bridge within the Greater Bay Area. With the support of regional policy advantages, the Group will strive for multiple advancements in the future. It will increase investment in collaborative development with domestic and international brand suppliers, continuously optimize the partner ecosystem, and seize business development opportunities.
“ASL Solution Day 2023”
Since 2019, the Group has organized an annual flagship event – “ASL Solution Day,” where ASL shares its innovative achievements with the industry and discusses future technology trends. This year’s event, themed “Unified for Success, 50 years and Beyond,” focuses on: i) ASL’s latest updates and future developments; ii) Exploring cutting-edge IT innovation and services; iii) trends and prospects of resource sharing in the Greater Bay Area ; iv) Assisting companies in expanding their influence in the thriving Asia-Pacific market. The event has received strong support from 32 IT vendors, encompassing around 20 booths and 12 breakout sessions seminar. It has brought together IT professionals, academic researchers, and experts from the financial sector, among others. For more details, please visit the link: Link
With ASL’s research and development centers in Asia Pacific, over a thousand of high-caliber experts, and 50 years of experience in providing professional IT services to global users, ASL will continuously strengthen its business capabilities and remain committed to its founding principles. It is dedicated to becoming the preferred professional unified technology service partner for clients.
Hashtag: #AutomatedSystemsHoldings
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Automated Systems Holdings Limited
Automated Systems Holdings Limited (“ASL” or “The Group”) was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 1997 (Stock Code: 771). The ASL Group, consists of Automated Systems (H.K.) Limited, ELM Computer Technologies Limited, CSA Automated (Macau) Limited, Guangzhou Automated Systems Limited, ASL Automated (Thailand) Limited. In addition, Grid Dynamics Holdings Inc. is the associate of the Group. The Group’s core business is based in Hong Kong and Macau and covers Asia Pacific, Europe, and the United States. It is dedicated to offering professional and trustworthy information technology (“IT”) services to corporate clients around the world.
The Group’s core businesses are Innovative Solutions, Intelligent Cybersecurity Services, and Integrated Managed Services. Innovative Solutions business is offering holistic business solutions to accelerate customers’ digital transformation. Intelligent Cybersecurity business is specialized in digital asset protection & risks prevention. Integrated Managed Services business is to manage clients’ IT infrastructure to cloud platform in entire IT lifecycle with its worldclass, industry-specific and end-to-end services.
With ASL’s research and development centers in Asia Pacific, over a thousand of high-caliber experts, and 50 years of experience in providing professional IT services to global users, ASL provides the best practices for customers’ IT management and is definitely customers’ professional and trustworthy unified technology services partner.
For more information, please visit our web page at http://www.asl.com.hk.
SolarWinds Unveils New Leadership in APJ
“We are excited for Bharat to bring his experience in the IT industry and outstanding proficiency in building strategic business alliances to this role. Bharat is laser-focused on maximizing our channel base and expanding our APJ business growth,” said Andrea Webb, executive vice president and chief customer officer of SolarWinds.
As the managing director of SolarWinds APJ, Bedi will be fortifying the fundamentals of the business operations and realigning strategies to make a positive industry impact in the APJ region. Alongside his new role, he will continue to lead the global team at SolarWinds that manages strategic alliances with global system integrators (GSI).
“I’m thrilled to be appointed to lead the SolarWinds operations in APJ,” said Bedi. “Given the region’s vast opportunities and strong growth momentum, the company will continue to make focused investments to bolster and expand our footprints in APJ.”
“Together with new talented leaders joining us to head the Australia and India operations in the coming months, I look forward to accelerating our customers’ journey in digital transformation with our full-stacked observability solutions, database, and service management solutions.”
Bedi has more than 19 years of experience in sales, business development, and product marketing in various aspects of the technology landscape, including enterprise hardware, software, software as a service (SaaS), and services. He previously held executive positions with HPE, IBM, and Dell before joining SolarWinds in 2019.
Hashtag: #SWI #SWIproducts #SWIcorporate #SWIresearch
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About SolarWinds
SolarWinds (NYSE:SWI) is a leading provider of simple, powerful, secure observability and IT management software built to enable customers to accelerate their digital transformation. Our solutions provide organizations worldwide—regardless of type, size, or complexity—with a comprehensive and unified view of today’s modern, distributed, and hybrid network environments. We continuously engage with IT service and operations professionals, DevOps and SecOps professionals, and database administrators (DBAs) to understand the challenges they face in maintaining high-performing and highly available hybrid IT infrastructures, applications, and environments. The insights we gain from them, in places like our THWACK community, allow us to address customers’ needs now and in the future. Our focus on the user and our commitment to excellence in end-to-end hybrid IT management have established SolarWinds as a worldwide leader in solutions for observability, IT service management, application performance, and database management. Learn more today at
www.solarwinds.com.
The SolarWinds, SolarWinds & Design, Orion, and THWACK trademarks are the exclusive property of SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC or its affiliates, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other SolarWinds trademarks, service marks, and logos may be common law marks or are registered or pending registration. All other trademarks mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only and are trademarks of (and may be registered trademarks of) their respective companies.
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